I follow the “double diamond” design thinking model, which is seen throughout the industry in different shapes and forms.
The double diamond involves phases of diverging, or going wide and gathering information from users, the web, etc. to inform the design– and converging– synthesizing findings and defining goals.
It assures one looks at a problem from a people-first standpoint that isn’t built upon assumptions. The model is broad enough that it can be adapted for any design challenge, big or small.
I’ve labeled the four phases of the process “Gather”, “Define”, “Concept”, “Design”. The rhyme helps me remember them 😉.
My differentiating qualities as a designer are more evident in my approach to solving problems rather than the process I follow. I take a holistic approach to design, seeing projects through both a microscopic and macroscopic lens.
One of my favorite things to do is make little tweaks to user interfaces to see what moves the needle, like this A/B Testing work for Change.org. This is micro (UI).
Simultaneously, another one of my favorite things to do is think systematically, taking into account the big picture– like when I helped create the information architecture for a 100,000+ page website, SLCo.org. This is macro (UX).
I have both UX and UI in my toolbox, and with experience have honed the ability to judge when a problem calls for one over the other.
The underlying goal of my work is to make things simple enough so users can get back into the real world. This goal is the essence of products that are succinct, copy that is free of fluff, and experiences that benefit humanity.
